Chapter 2: Visit in the hospital

I was three months into the therapy and sick and tired, mostly sick. I was in the hospital for a few days and the constant attention of the nurses was driving me crazy. When Jasper came in I was ready to start planning an escape. He was twenty years younger than me. Jasper was a professor of bio engineering and was working to create something he called nanites.

Every Monday at our poker games we talked about what we were working on and got fresh ideas from each other. Jasper worked to create the self replicating nanites. Henry was trying to create something to do with time. George was working on a new means of energy. Jasper looked worried as he sat down beside me, “Hey Sam, chased any nurses lately?”

I glared at him, “Funny Jasper.”

He grinned and looked away. We talked about a few things and then he looked at me, “I think I have a problem Sam.”

He knew what I had been before I retired. I looked at the way he was sitting and tried to sit up more, he moved closer and helped me. I leaned back and sighed, “Tell me.”

He smiled as he looked at his feet and then he frowned, “The company that is paying for my research wants all my notes.”

I kept looking at him and he finally looked up, “I thought my nanites would be used to help people. All these people want is a way to make money ... Well, that and to use my nanites to make some type of super soldier.”

I nodded, “Go public.”

He looked away, “I thought of that ... They ... threatened me.”

I thought about it and sighed, “You have everything in your head. Destroy your notes and they can’t touch you.”

He grinned, “Ten years of work and you want me to just destroy it?”

I grinned back him, “If it’s in your head, then you won’t be destroying it.”

He nodded and sat back, “You know that might work.”

We talked some more and then he left. It was close to midnight when I felt someone come into the room. I thought it was just another nurse. I already had an IV in my arm and felt a cool rush before feeling suddenly lethargic.

I opened my eyes to see Jasper hooking up two huge IVs. When he finished, he put his hand on my shoulder, “I’m sorry Sam. They didn’t see things your way. They’re shutting me down and taking everything. I destroyed my notes but they said they could reverse engineer my prototypes, so ... so I’m putting them in you. Keep them safe and watch your back.”

I watched as he sat down and stared at the two IVs. It took almost a half hour and then Jasper unhooked the IVs and looked at me before walking out. I woke to a shattering explosion that rattled the window. It was still early morning and I hit the call button. I felt strangely alive and watched as a young nurse came in, “What was that explosion?”

She was frowning, “We don’t know. It came from the direction of the campus.”

I frowned and reached to pull the IV out, “Get my clothes please.”

She was at my side in an instant, “Stop that!”

I looked at her as she tried to push the IV back in my arm, “Nurse, either get my clothes or stay out of my way.”

I pushed her away and sat up. I pulled all the leads off and slid out of bed. I was a little surprised at the loss of pain I usually felt. I turned toward the closet as the nurse left to find someone to help stop me. I pulled that damn hospital gown over my head and reached into the closet for my pants.